Pretty badly needing an inflow of younger expertise on their roster, early returns present the Patriots might need scored large with their 2023 NFL Draft class.
The Patriots have almost wrapped up their section of coaching camp from the observe fields behind Gillette Stadium. The crew is scheduled to observe Sunday and Monday earlier than leaving for joint practices with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday. The Patriots will observe with the Packers twice, play a preseason sport in Green Bay after which are set to journey straight to Tennessee for 2 extra practices and a preseason sport towards the Titans.
But earlier than they compete in observe towards different groups, let’s first run by means of the six standouts from the crew’s two weeks-plus of practices in Foxboro.
WR Demario Douglas
“Pop” popped off in coaching camp and was used like a near-lock for a roster spot within the Patriots’ first preseason sport, taking simply two snaps earlier than becoming a member of established veterans on the sideline. The Patriots appreciated what they noticed out of Douglas manner again within the spring throughout OTAs and minicamp. He instantly was a part of a gaggle of ability place gamers spending time with beginning QB Mac Jones, somewhat than Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley, early in observe on the primary day of coaching camp. He additionally appeared to leapfrog 2022 second-round choose Tyquan Thornton later in the summertime, although there’s nonetheless virtually a month earlier than the beginning of the common season for that to vary.
Douglas’ velocity, quickness and agility persistently stood out in crew drills, and the separation he gained in 1-on-1s is the stuff of legends. He additionally proved to have positive fingers.
The Liberty product was a favourite goal of Zappe’s and earned increasingly more reps with Jones as coaching camp wore on. Ask any participant on the Patriots’ roster about Douglas, and their eyes will mild up.
“Yeah, Pop Shotta,” Jones mentioned earlier this month. “That’s my guy. I’m going to call him Pop Shotta. Anyways, he’s a great kid, works really hard.”
Douglas is simply 5-foot-8 and mentioned lately he’s weighing in round 183 kilos. His future is within the slot, the place the Patriots have had a litany of spectacular performers. As far as stature goes, he’s extra equally sized to Wes Welker than Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Troy Brown or Jakobi Meyers. If Douglas isn’t prepared for snaps immediately, then veteran vast receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne and tight finish Mike Gesicki may play within the slot.
Douglas may return punts, however these duties possible can be stuffed by cornerback Marcus Jones.
WR DeVante Parker
Parker, who earned a three-year contract extension this offseason, wasn’t fairly as constant as Douglas, however he had a aptitude for large performs this summer season. He additionally was considered one of Mac Jones’ total favourite targets.
The former Miami Dolphins vast receiver was Jones’ finest downfield menace and dominated contested catches after a barely sluggish begin to camp. Parker gained battles for large features over cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez, Jack Jones and Isaiah Bolden. He additionally completed 5-2 in 1-on-1 drills.
Parker solely caught 31 passes in 13 video games final season however averaged 17.4 yards per reception. If he stays wholesome, he might be due for a bounce-back season. He’s an entrenched starter within the offense alongside fellow skill-position gamers Rhamondre Stevenson, Smith-Schuster and Hunter Henry.
TE Hunter Henry
Henry was Jones’ high total goal no less than by means of the early portion of coaching camp. He was a landing vacuum by means of the primary week of practices earlier than slowing down a bit as soon as pads have been strapped on.
Henry was properly forward of Gesicki within the tight finish pecking order when the Patriots went into 11 personnel. He caught a career-high 9 touchdowns from Jones of their first yr collectively in 2021. They linked for only one rating in 2022.
If coaching camp was any indication, then Henry needs to be getting fed within the purple zone in new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s offense. He mentioned he slimmed down this offseason, and that gave the impression to be paying off with improved fluidity.
EDGE Josh Uche
Uche is an enchanting pass-rusher within the Patriots’ protection. Typically preferring larger, stronger edge defenders (just like the identify talked about down under), Uche is without doubt one of the NFL’s smaller edge defenders at 6-foot-3, 240 kilos.
But what Uche lacks in stature, he greater than makes up for in quickness. Former Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia spoke with WEEI on Friday and mentioned quickness and velocity is tougher for blockers to deal with than energy. That definitely proved to be the case with Uche final season, when he registered 11.5 sacks in a breakout season.
Now in a contract yr as a 2020 second-round choose, Uche was repeatedly within the Patriots backfield throughout full-team aggressive drills, giving his crew’s tackles suits. He additionally was a giant winner in 1-on-1 go rush drills.
Uche will mix with Matthew Judon, Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore, rookie Keion White and probably even veteran Trey Flowers for what needs to be a really formidable go rush that may look to assist out a secondary shedding their longtime chief in retired security Devin McCourty.
DL Keion White
It wasn’t an enormous shock to see White shine in Thursday’s preseason debut based mostly on what he confirmed in coaching camp. The rookie second-round choose was a daily winner in 1-on-1 go rush drills and earned a number of sacks in 11-on-11s.
At 6-foot-5, 290 kilos, White is a uncommon athlete who wound up standing up on the sting for 15 snaps Thursday night time. He kicked inside for 12 extra snaps and was in on the punt protection crew. The versatile defender ran an explosive 4.79-second 40-yard sprint in the course of the pre-draft course of.
White, 24, looks like the kind of participant who will trigger pundits to scratch their heads years from now and surprise how he fell to the second spherical of the draft. Simply from a measurement perspective, White will not be dissimilar to NFL legend J.J. Watt. And Watt wasn’t standing up on the sting very regularly throughout his profession.
The Patriots’ draft class has been extraordinarily spectacular to this point this summer season. Douglas and White are the highest standouts, however Gonzalez can be a Week 1 starter, linebacker/security Marte Mapu appears primed for a giant position, guard Atonio Mafi needs to be the crew’s high backup guard, vast receiver Kayshon Boutte has proven promise, and Bolden and fellow cornerback Ameer Speed are tall, quick, toolsy defenders.
S Kyle Dugger
Another key defender in a contract yr from that 2020 draft, Dugger ought to take over McCourty’s submit because the Patriots’ high security this season. Dugger picked off Jones thrice in coaching camp.
Head coach Bill Belichick showered him with unusual reward early in camp.
“Big, can run, can tackle, cover, blitz. Those guys are great,” Belichick mentioned. “That’s why they go high in the draft. There’s a premium for them, and they get paid a lot of money. That’s what they bring.”
Time will inform whether or not Dugger takes extra reps within the field or at free security this season, however he definitely continued his ball-hawking methods whereas dealing with his personal offense. Dugger has seven interceptions over his final two seasons, and he scored three defensive touchdowns final yr.
Honorable mentions
QB/WR Malik Cunningham: The UDFA didn’t stand out a lot as a pass-catcher however confirmed a spark at QB even earlier than his star-turning efficiency Thursday night time.
WR Kayshon Boutte: The former five-star recruit bought out to a sluggish begin in camp however made some spectacular catches within the second week.
P Bryce Baringer: The rookie’s hangtime and distance have wowed punter connoisseurs within the media tent this summer season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com